Former El Paso city Rep. Steve Ortega on Monday released several emails from his personal account related to city business that he had fought to keep private.

"We're hoping this is now over," Ortega said. "But who knows when this saga will end."

Ortega's attorney during a court hearing in Austin turned over emails he had on his personal email account related to open records requests made by local attorney Stephanie Townsend Allala last year.

Earlier this month, Ortega had filed a motion to quash a subpoena asking that he appear for a deposition Dec. 4 and that he produce emails from his personal account responsive to Allala's request.

Ortega had argued that the law protects against searches and subpoenas served for the purpose of harassment, and that the subpoena and deposition were fishing expeditions. On Monday, Ortega said his attorney advised him to turn over the relevant emails to bring the case to an end.

Allala had requested emails regarding any matter of public business from January to October 2012 between Ortega and any council representative, then-Mayor John Cook or City Manager Joyce Wilson, as well as members of MountainStar Sports Group.

MountainStar is the group of private investors bringing the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team to El Paso next year.

The emails released by Ortega and provided to the media by Allala appear inconsequential to the controversial ballpark now under construction where the former City Hall building once stood.

One of the emails appears to be a mass distribution from MountainStar Vice President Josh Hunt encouraging supporters of the ballpark to speak in its favor at a council meeting, write their city representative, submit a letter to the editor or attend a support rally.

Another email from Hunt to City Manager Joyce Wilson discusses the former City Hall valuation when compared to other Downtown buildings, and calls the value claimed by opponents to the building's demolition "distortions."

A district court judge in Austin ruled last month that Wilson, City Rep. Cortney Niland and former Rep. Susie Byrd, along with Ortega, would have to give sworn depositions in the case.

Lowell Denton, a San Antonio attorney who represents the city, said no depositions will take place Dec. 4. The district court judge in Austin next week is expected to rule whether to dismiss the case or order the depositions take place at a different time, Denton said.

The city has argued that the subpoenas for the depositions be thrown out because it had complied with the requests. The city has published emails, including those it received from the personal accounts of the city leaders, on its website. Wilson signed an affidavit stating the city has made public all the documents to which it has access.

Denton said Ortega's emails were also received by the city Monday, and would be reviewed by city attorneys and would likely be posted online alongside the others.